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Prosecutors say a transient woman accused of attacking a 4-year-old girl and her father inside a San Jose Walmart store targeted her victims because they were of Asian origin. Scott Budman reports. (Published Thursday, May 15, 2014)

A horrific crime is now being called a hate crime.

Prosecutors say a transient woman accused of attacking a 4-year-old girl and her father inside a San Jose Walmart store targeted her victims because they were of Asian origin.

Woman Strikes 4-Year-Old Girl With Crowbar at SJ Walmart: Police

A woman was arrested Wednesday after she allegedly attacked a 4-year-old girl and her father with a crowbar at a San Jose Walmart store, police said. Nannette Miranda reports. (Published Wednesday, May 14, 2014)

Maria Garate, a 20-year-old transient, was charged on Thursday with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, both with hate crime allegations. She appeared briefly in a Santa Clara County courtroom with a public defender, but did not enter a plea.

"This was every parent's worst nightmare,” deputy district attorney Kalila Spain said at a news conference outside the Hall of Justice in San Jose.